TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After the unbearable heat of the El Nino-fueled summer, millions of Americans are wondering what the biting cold of the snow will feel like this year.
Well, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, a relatively mild winter is in store for the US. But a stretch of colder, snowier winter can be expected across parts of the Northeast, Appalachians, and Western United States.
What about the rest of the country? Check out the winter prediction by Old Farmer's Almanac below.
What factors influence winter 2026-27?
To determine how winter could take shape, Old Farmer's Almanac takes notice of several natural clues, from ocean temperatures, high-altitude wind, and solar cycles.
One of the most influential phenomena to affect seasonal patterns is El Nino, the warmer-than-average water temperatures along the equator in the Pacific Ocean. CNN noted that El Nino results in "domino-like" influence on global weather patterns, including the American winter.
And while it's months out from winter, El Nino typically sends the jet stream (the fast-moving river of air that steers storms) down south, which results in wetter and cooler weather in the southern United States, but milder temperatures for much of the country.
Besides El Nino, the Old Farmer's Almanac also monitors the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) for signs of increased storms during the winter. Meanwhile, if the polar vortex—which sends cool air from Canada—shifts south, the US will be seeing colder-than-average weather. Another piece of the puzzle is the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO), which is expected to weaken while the Atlantic's warm patterns continue.
Winter prediction by region
The Almanac divides the US into 18 regions, with most experiencing a mild and dry winter with pockets of wetter, colder, and snowier locations.
Which parts will be snowy this winter?
The snowiest regions are likely to be parts of the Northeast, Appalachians, Intermountain West, Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Appalachians will be facing the harshest winter, with below-normal temperatures and precipitation, with heavy snowfall forecast for mid-January and February. The southern parts of the Northeast will also see above-normal snowfall, stretching from mid-December to March.
Moving west, snowy winters are also expected in the Intermountain Region—including parts of Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Colorado—despite above-normal temperatures, according to Newsweek. The snow in this region is expected to make travel tricky.
In Alaska, the snowiest periods are forecast in mid-November 2026, early and late January, mid-February, and late March 2027.
Where will winter be milder in the US?
Aligned with El Nino winter patterns, most of the US will be seeing a milder, drier winter, according to the Almanac. These regions include the Southeast, Deep South, Florida, Texas, and the High Plains.
A generally warmer winter is expected in Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma—albeit the occasional snow is still possible for northern Oklahoma.
In locations that typically see snowfall, Newsweek noted, winter will be warmer and drier than usual. This region includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Nevada.
Warmer winters are also predicted across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, despite occasional sharp freezes.
In Hawaii, however, the winter will be wet and cold, especially later in the winter period. The Almanac predicts storms will be frequent in the region during mid-December and January, as well as late February and March 2027.
How do others predict the winter?
Climate forecasters continue to monitor the impact of El Nino, including how it will affect the winter patterns.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for example, projects a greater than 90 percent chance of El Nino becoming a strong event during the upcoming fall and winter. NOAA forecasts warmer winters across much of the US, but wetter in southern parts of the country, according to Newsweek.
Meanwhile, rivaling Farmer's Almanac puts great emphasis on wetter conditions in California and the Southwest through Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southeast. Both almanacs also differ on Pacific Northwest winter. Farmer's Almanac expects a more changeable and less dependable snow season in the region.
Read: 2026-2027 Winter Forecast: What Factors Will Shape the Season?
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